Archery bow and sight therefor



J'. R. TATE Y l LRGHERY BOW .AND SIGHT THEREFCPR June zo, 1939.

Filed' Oct. 15, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 20, 1939. 1l R TATE 2,163,503I 1 I ARCHERY BOW AND SIGHT THEREFOR I Filed oct. 15, 1957 2 sneetysheet2 Patented June 20, `1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to certain improvements Y in archery bows andsights therefor, and the nature and objects of the invention will bereadily recognized and understood by those skilled in the art to whichthe invention pertains, in the. light of the following explanation anddetailed description of the accompanying drawings illustrating what Inow consider to be the preferred embodiments or mechanical expressionsof my invention lo from among various other forms, designs, ar-

rangements, constructions and combinations of which the invention iscapable withinthe broad spirit and scope thereof.

Archery bows generally are of a length of the l5 order of approximatelysix .(6) feet, at least, so

that they are rather unwieldy and cumbersome for transportation and/orstorage. Various designs and constructions o f such bows have beensuggested to 4enable their being disassembled or knocked-down intosections for carriage or stor age purposes, but generally such suggesteddesigns involve complex constructions with increased number of parts andelements making up a bow, so that not only is the cost of the bowincreased but the eiiiciency and accuracy may be decreased. y It is ageneral object of my present invention to provide a design andconstruction of archery bow which may be readily disassembled or knockeddown for carriage or storage purposes, but which is `of extremely simpleconstruction to embody merely a handle and upper and lower limbsdetachably received by the bow handle without the use of any fasteningmeans, such as screws, clamps or the like, and with' the bow limbs main-30 tained in assembled relation with the bow handle merely by the bowstring in operative position placing the limbs under tension, and thelimbs releasable for disassembly and removal from the handle bydetaching the bow string from opera- 'tive engagement with one ofthe'bow limbs.

A feature and characteristic of the invention in carrying out theforegoing general object resides p in the design of the bow handle toprovide opposite end bow limb receiving sockets and in the constructionof the inner ends of the bow limbs to fit into the handle sockets insuch a manner` that, as the bow string is drawn back by the archer torelease an arrow, the ends of the limbs are tightened in the handlesockets.

Another object .of my invention is to provide an improved design ofsight for an archery bow, which is readily adjustable universally, thatis, vertically and laterally, as required to meet lthe needs of aparticular archer and the requirements of the particular conditionsunder which a bow is being used.

A further object of the invention is to provide an efiicient design ofmounting for the sight on a bow of the foregoing type, by which thesight is 5 adapted to be maintained in operative position on the bow bysecuring the sight mounting in the upper end socket of the bow handlebetween the handle land thel end of the upper limb of the bow receivedin such socket, the sight being detach- 10 able and removable when thebow is disassembled.

Another main object of my invention is to provide a design, constructionand arrangement of knock-down or sectional bow of the above referred tocharacter, which is extremely simple 15 mechanically and structurallyand embodies a minimum ofv parts and elements capable of readymanufacture at relatively low cost, yet which provides an efficient andaccurate bow in use; and further which enables the bow limbs being con-20 structed of such wood materials as have been established as preferredand most eicient for archery bow purposes. I

With the foregoing general objects in view, as well as certain otherswhich will be evident from 25 the following description, myinventionconsists in certain novel features in design and in combination andconstruction of parts and elements, al1 as willbe more fully an'dparticularly referred to and specified hereinafter. 30

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which similar referencecharacters refer to corresponding parts throughout the several figuresthereof:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of an archery 35 bow and sightembodying the invention, in 'assembled and operative position.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the bow handle and inner endsof the upper and lower' bow limbs together with the bow sight, o y

when separated and disassembled but in their relative positions forassembly.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view in side elevation of. the bow handle with theupper and lower limbs of the bow in assembled position in the handle 45sockets and the sight in mounted position, the inner end portions onlyof the bow limbs being shown. l

Fig. 4 is a view in rear elevation of the assembled bow handle, limbsand sight of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5` is a view in vertical longitudinal section through the bowhandleof Figs. 3 and 4, the ends ofthe bow'limbs and the bow sightmounted in the handle being shown in side elevation.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal, transverse section u Fig, 3, and showing thesight mounting plate in assembled position in the handle socket.

Fig. 7 is a view in rear elevation of the inner end of the lower limb ofthe bow showing the wedge block or member thereon for cooperation withthe bow handle socket.

One possible embodiment of an archery bow incorporating the severalfeatures of the invention is illustrated by way of an example in theaccompanying drawings, and essentially includes', referring particularlyto Fig. 1, the bow handle I0, upper limb 20, lower limb 3l, and the bowstring 4u. In accordance with theinvention,.the upper and lower limbs 2land 30 are removably maintained in the opposite ends, respectively, ofthe bow handle I by the bow string dll connected .to and between'the bowlimbs in operative position drawing or bending the limbs rearwardly toinitially place the limbs under tension for use of the bow. Due to thedesign and construction of the bow handle and the inner ends of the bowlimbs, the latter are held and maintainedin their operative, assembledposition by the bow string in its above referred to operative positionas shown in Fig. 1, and are released for removal by unstringing the bow,all without the use of any fastening'or other means for securing o'rclamping the bow limbs into the bow handle.

In the present instance, I have selected a design and constructionforthe bow handle IB, by which the handle is formed of atubular metalelement, such as a casting orthe like of a lightweight metal asaluminum, or one of the metal alloys as duralumin, although my inventionis not limited to any particular material for the bow handle formingelement. This handle forming element is slightly bent or curvedrearwardly from its central portion toward its opposite ends, that is,is of slight arcuate form, and preferably is provided with the end beadsor rounded guard shoulders Ita extended at least around the side andrear of each end of the handle member.

Along one side of the handle element. in this instance, the left side, alongitudinally extended raised portion Ib is provided intermediate theopposite end beads Ida, to form a surface against which an arrow to becast by the bow is held and across which the arrow slides in drawing thebow and releasing the arrow. It desired, such an arrow engaged surfaceIIIb may be provided on the right side of handle ID, or such surfacesmay be of the outer surface oi the raised, arrow engaging portion Illbofthe handle forming element.

The bore or `passage II (see Fig. through the tubular handle formingelement. may be. as in the 'example hereof, of. generally rectangularcross section, that is non-circular but having roimded or curved cornerportions. This bore II -from its intermediate or central portion withinthe elementincreases in width or cross sectional areaoutwardly to theopposite ends of the handle to forni the'upper end and lower Tend bowlimb receiving sockets I2 and I4, respectively.

The upper end socket I! of handle Il has its rear wall I 2a curved orinclined upwardly` and arcanos rearwardly from its inner end (see Fig.5) and is transversely curved so as to be substantially concave insection, as will be clear from Fig: 6. The

' forward wall I2b of this upper socket is substantially straight andpresents a hat surface with a vertical groove'or slot I2c formedextending longitudinally thereof, which slot opens' through the Y upperedge wall of the handle forming element and also has in the examplehereof, its opposite side edges undercutas shown by Fig. 6.

The lower end socket I4 of the bow handle has the rear wall Ila thereofcurved or inclined outwardly and rearwardly (see Fig. 5) and is trans-.versely curved so that such wall is substantially concave in crosssectin, in a manner similar to uppersocket rear wall 'I2a as shown byFig. 6. The forward wall Ilb of this lower bow limb socket issubstantially straight and presents an approximately flat surface, aswill be clearA by reference to Fig. l in connection' with the showing inFig. 6 of the similar forward wall VI'ib of the upper socket I2 of thebow handle I0.

The upper and lower bow handle sockets I2 and I4 are designed toremovably .receive and hold the inner ends of the upper and lower bowlimbs 20 and 3i! with lsuch elements of the bow in assembled position asshown by Figs.- 1, 3, 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings. Due `to thedesign and construction of the bow Yhandle sockets and the arrangementof the invention for releasably holding the bow limbs therein;l solelyby forces exerted thereon by the bow string 4l in .strung position, thebow limbs can be practically manufactured from any of the woodsefciently suitable for archery bow use, such for example, as hickory,ash, lemon, yew and hedgewood.

The upper and lower bowlimbs 20 and 30 are substantially identical indesign and construction, each being formed of a length of a suitablewood which is tapered or decreased in cross sectional area outwardly andis preformed or .shaped to curve outwardly and rearwardly from the innerend portion of the limb, as willbe clear by reference to Fig. l of thedrawings in particular. Each bow limb in the example hereof is formedwith the substantially flat forward side or surface I, and terminates atits inner end in the root or handle socket iltting portion'2. Such rootor socket fitting end portion 2 of a bow limb is formed by reducing thewidth of the bow limb to provide the shoulders 2a at opposite side edgesof the limb and then tapering such root or socket portion outwardly tothe end therelof. Each tapered inner or root end 2 of a bow limbisshaped to fit into a socket I2 or Il of the bow handle III, and isprovided with the forward sidesubstantially straight fiat wall 2b (seeFigs. 2 and 5) adapted to fit against the forward fiat wall I2b or Mb ofa handle socket I2 or I4,"with the bow limb in mounted position in suchhandle socket.

Following a ,further feature of the invention, each bow limb 2l and 30is provided with means l .for cooperating with the rear wall of thehandie socket I2 or Il in which mounted, to cause a -wedging andtightening' of the bow limbs in their respective handle sockets as thebow string 4I 4is drawn back for casting or propelling an arrow.

- Such a means in the present example, takes the form of a wedge block 2secured in fixed position on the rear side of each bow limb root 2adjacent. the shoulders 2a of the limb. Eachwedge block 3 decreases inthickness from its o terl end inwardly along the limb root by sloping orinclining its outer side inwardly toward l Vis adapted to be mounted onthe mounting in the limb root. These wedge blocks are preferably formedof a hard wood, such, for example, as ebony wood, and are secured to thelimb rootsA 2 in any suitable manner, as, for example, by means of asuitable fastening element, such as a nail screw or the like 3a. (seeFig. 5), with or without the use of glue or cement between the limb rootand wedge block, as may be found expedient.

The archery bow of the invention is assembled for use, referring now toFigs. 1 and 5 in particular, by freely inserting the root ends 2 of theupper and lower limbs 2U and 30 in the handle sockets I2 and I4,respectively, of the handle ID, with the flat front walls 2b of the limbroots engaged against the flat forward walls I2b and I4b, respectively,of the handle sockets. In such inserted assembled position, the wedgeblocks 3 of the upper and lower limb roots 2 fit within the sockets inengagement with the outer vend portions of the rearwardly and outwardlycurved rear walls |2a and I4a, respectively, of the said handle sockets,as clearly shown by Figs. 3 and 5 of the drawings'. The bow stringl40 isthen connected into operative position between the outer ends of theassembled upper and lower bow limbs 20 and 30 to initially bend or drawthe limbs rearwardly into initially sprung position, in the usual mannerof Stringing an archery bow familiar in this art. l

Thus, under the action of the bow string 40 when so connected betweenthe bow limbs 20 and 30, the inner, root ends 2 of the limbs are'firmlyforced and held in the handle sockets l2 and I4 in assembled position tocomplete the bow ready for use, as shown by Fig. 1. As a result of thedesign and relative arrangement of the wedge blocks 3 and their positionin the handle sockets, each time the bow string 40 is drawn rearwardly4into arrow casting or projecting position, these hard wood blocksfunction as wedges acting against the curved rear socket walls I2a andI4a, to further tighten and force the limb roots 2 into` the sockets andtightly and rigidly hold the limbs in fixed position during the drawingof and arrow casting by the bow. Hence, such tight mounting andsubstantially rigid mounting of the bow limbs 20 and 30 in the bowhandle I0 is accomplished solely by the forces acting on the limbs whenthe bow is strung for use, and entirely without the employment of anyseparate or additional securing or clamping means.

When it is desired to disassemble the bow for transportation or storage,it is merely necessary to unstring the bow by detaching the bow string40 from one of the bow limbs, which instantly releases the tension onthe limbs that holds them in their assembled position in the handlesockets, so that the bow limbs 20 and 30 can then be removed from thesockets I2 and I4 to separate them from the handle I0.` Assuming a bowof substantially a six (6) foot length, the disassembled or knocked-downbow can then be transported or stored to occupy a space of a length ofnot over approximately a length of thr'ee (3) feet.

The invention also includes a bow sight S and its mounting as a featurethereof, in combination and cooperation` with the knockdown or sectionalbow of my invention as hereinbefore described. The sight S consists oftube or sighting member 50 of any suitable material, such, for example,as aluminum or other light-weight metal or alloy.

This tube-has the restricted sight opening form- V ing forward end 59aand the rear enlarged bore eye opening providing end 50h. The sightingtube generally horizontally disposed position but adjustable so as tohave its bore lined between an ,eye of the archer and the target.

A mounting for the sighting tube 50 providing for elevational andlateral or horizontal adjustment is provided, and in accordance with myinvention such mounting is designed for cooperative combination with theupper bow limb 20 and the upper socket' I2 of the bow handle I0. Such amounting mayf as in the example hereof, embody a mounting base plate 5|of'`y general wedge formation having a laterally extended arm 52 at itsupper end which arm terminates in a vertically disposed column orstandard 53. A bracket 54 is slidably mounted on column 53 fo-r Verticaladjustment as well as horizontal or rotary adjustment thereon. A setscrew 54a is provided for securing bracket 54 in its adjusted positionson column 53. The sighting tube 50 is formed with a depending arm 55intermediate the length of the tube, which is rotatably mounted on theouter end of bracket 54 for vertical rocking or elevational adjustmentthereon. A clamping screw 56 is provided for securing the arm 55 and itstube 50 in adjusted position.

The sight S and its mounting are secured in position on `the bow whenthe latter is assembled by inserting the base plate 5I downwardly in theundercut slot l2c formed in the forward wall I2b of the upper limb slotI2 of the bow handle. The vertical column of the sight mounting is thendisposed on the left side of theA bow with the sighting tube 50 ingenerally horizontally disposed position spaced from the left side ofthe upper bow limb 2D. This arrangement and location is preferred for anarcher who holds the bow in his left hand by handle I0 and draws the bowwith his right hand, but if desired the sight can be arranged formounting to locate tube 50 at the right side of the bow to accommodatean archer holding the bow with his right hand and drawing the bow withhis left hand.

In either mounting arrangement the mounting platel in socket slot I2C islocated so as not to interfere with the insertion or removal of theupper how limb 20 in socket I2, and the root end 2 of limb 2D wheninserted and secured in the socket may bear against and wedge the plate5| in position against displacement so as to maintain the mounting andsight carried thereby in the required operative position on the bow.Upon removal of the upper bow limb 20, thel mounting plate 5I for'sightSis released and the sight and its mounting may then be removed asaunit.

Due4 to the adjustments provided by the sight mounting; the sightingtube S can be rais-ed or lowered on column 53, can be swung horizontallyor laterally about column 53 as an axis, and can be rocked verticallyfor elevational angular' adjustment about the bracket 54 as an axis.Thus, the sighting tube 5I) can be positioned to meet .the sightingrequirements of the archer using the bow, both as to initial positionrelative to the eye of the archer and as to the sighting requirementsunder the conditions of use of the bow as to target and windage.

By the design, construction and arrangement of the foregoing describedembodiment exemplifying the several features of my invention, I haveproduced an archery bow of extreme simplicity structurally and a bowcapable of ready manufacture at low cost of production, yet which iscapable of being knocked-down or disassembled quickly into sections for4transportation and storage. The bow can be as readily assembled bysimply placing the bow limbs in the handle sockets and then stringingthe bow, without requiring any other fastening,

` clamping or securingmembers than provided by the bow handle sockets,bow limbs and bow string in their cooperating relation in assembledpositions. I have further provided a practical and eiiicient sight foran archery bow together with a.r

mounting for positioning the sight on the bow, and have designed andarranged the sight and its mounting for cooperative assembly with thebow handle and one of the separable bow limbs so that the sight andmounting can be assembled in combination with such elements of the bowbut by which the-sight and its mounting can be assembled on or removedfrom the assembled bow without requiring disassembly or separation ofthe bow elements.

It is also evident that various changes, modifications, substitutions,additions and eliminations may be resorted to without departing from thebroad scope of my invention, and hence I do not desire to limit myselfin all respects to the exact and specific disclosures hereof.

Desiring to protect my invention in the broadest manner legallypossible, what I claim is:

1. The combination in an archery bow of a bow handle having bow limbreceiving sockets, bow limbs removably inserted in said sockets, a bowstring connected between the limbs and maintaining the limbs in theirsockets against displacement, and a bow sight unit having a mountingbase removably mounted in one of said bow sockets and maintained againstdisplacement by the bow limb in such socket.

2. The combination in an archery bow including a bow string therefor, ofseparable bow handle and bow limbs, said handle and limbs beingreleasably maintained in assembled relation by said bow string, and abow sight unit mounted on said bow handle and maintained againstdisplacement by one oisaid bow limbs. 3. In an archery bow, incombination, a vbow handle having a bow limb receiving socket therein, abow limb removably heldin said socket, and a bow sight unit including amounting for the unit, said mounting removably inserted in the bow limbsocket and normally maintained against displacement by said bow limb inthe socket.

4. In an archery bow, in combination, a bowv therefor, said mountingbase plate being removably received in said socket groove to positionthe sight unit in operative position on the bow handle.

amamos 5. In an archery bow, in combination, a bow handle having a bowlimb receiving sockettherein, a bow limb having a root end formed toremovably fit into said socket to position the bow limb on the saidhandle, a sight unit including a wedge base plate adapted to be insertedin said socket between a wall of the socket the root end of the bow limb:fitted into the socket, said base plate having a laterally extended'armterminating in a vertically disposed Ycolumn positioned spaced to oneside of the bow limb with the unit in mounted position, and a sight tubeyadjustably supported from said column.

6. The combination in an archery bow of, a bow handle having oppositeend bow limb receiving sockets tapered inwardly from their outer endswith the rear wall of each socket at Aits outer end portion inclinedrearwardly and outwardly to form a wedge engaging seat, upper and lowerbow limbs having their inner ends ta'- pered to fit into said taperedhandle sockets, each bow limb being provided at the rear side ci' itsinner end with a wedge member having its rear wall inclined upwardly andrearwardly and adapted to engage tl seat'formed by the outwardly andrearwardly inclined rear wall oi.'

a limb receiving socket of the bow handle, said upper and lower bowlimbs being mounted in sssembled relation with the bow handle with thetapered inner ends of the limbs inserted in said opposite end handlesockets, respectively, and a bow limbs having their inner ends outwardlytapered to ilt into said handle sockets, said upper and lower bow limbsbeing mounted in assembled relation with the bow handle with the taperedinner ends of the limbs in said opposite end sockets of the bow handle,a wedge member on each bow limb Iorcooperative engagement with theupwardly and outwardly inclined wall of the handle socket in whichmounted, a bow string adapted to be connected between the opposite outerends oi' the bow limbs. and the bow string when drawn rearwardly bendingthe bow limbs and forcing said wedge members into cooperative engagementwith vthe inclined socket walls to thereby tend to further force andwedge the bow i limbs into said sockets, respectively.

JOHN R. TATB.

